It was reported in 2008 that Nigel Waterson, then the Conservative MP for Eastbourne, had been arrested for allegedly assaulting his teenage children.

The Metropolitan Police has now apologised to Mr Waterson, and agreed to pay him damages and costs. It accepts that the accusations made against him were "wholly unfounded", and apologises for any distress caused.

Mr Waterson said -

I welcome the apology from the Metropolitan Police. They now accept that there was no basis for my arrest.

I have always been a great supporter of our police. But this sort of incident can undermine the public’s faith in them; especially as at the time my arrest was leaked to the media.